she doubts that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she doubts that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty from one person about the veracity of something else. For example, "She doubts that the room will be big enough for all of them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

If she ever got enough money, she'd like to hook it up to a sewer line so she could stop using Bobby's bathroom, in the trailer across the road, although she doubts that will happen anytime soon.

The Washington Post

But she doubts that she will return.

The New York Times

But she doubts that she will return anytime soon.

The New York Times

Not that she doubts that the weapons were there.

The New York Times - Books

She doubts that culpable individuals intend to commit wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

But she doubts that charities would respond positively to a paid-for proposal.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

She also doubts that's true.

The New York Times

She doubted that he would miss it.

The New Yorker

But at times she doubted that she would ever get her former level of energy back.

The New York Times - Magazine

She said she doubted that the new study would change medical practice.

The New York Times - Health

Ms. Krueger said she doubted that "a free-standing bill" would get enough votes for passage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she doubts that" when you want to express a character's or person's uncertainty or disbelief about a specific statement or event. Ensure the context clearly indicates who "she" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "she doubts that" when you want to express complete certainty or denial. "Doubt" implies uncertainty, not outright rejection. For stronger disagreement, use phrases like "she denies that" or "she refutes that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she doubts that" functions as a reporting clause expressing a female subject's uncertainty or disbelief regarding a subsequent proposition. Examples from Ludwig show this construction used in various contexts, reflecting its adaptability in conveying skepticism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she doubts that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express uncertainty or skepticism attributed to a female subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for general use. While its frequency is considered uncommon, it is suitable for neutral registers, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the subject, and be mindful of the strength of "doubt" compared to stronger terms like "denies". Alternatives include phrases like "she questions whether" and "she is skeptical that" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she questions whether

Replaces "doubts" with "questions", shifting from disbelief to inquiry.

she is skeptical that

Emphasizes a questioning attitude, suggesting uncertainty rather than strong disbelief.

she is not convinced that

Highlights a lack of persuasion, indicating a need for more evidence.

she is uncertain whether

Expresses a lack of clarity or definiteness about something.

she has reservations about

Focuses on specific concerns or hesitations regarding a particular matter.

she suspects that

Suggests a belief that something is true, based on incomplete evidence, but is not certain.

she isn't sure that

Simple and direct way to express lack of certainty.

she finds it hard to believe that

Indicates difficulty in accepting something as true.

she wavers in her belief that

Expresses the state of being indecisive or fluctuating between different opinions or actions.

it's doubtful to her that

Shifts the emphasis to the improbability of something in her eyes.

FAQs

How to use "she doubts that" in a sentence?

Use "she doubts that" to indicate that a female subject has reservations or uncertainty about a particular statement. For example, "She doubts that the project will be completed on time."

What can I say instead of "she doubts that"?

You can use alternatives like "she questions whether", "she is skeptical that", or "she is not convinced that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "she doubts that" or "she is doubting that"?

"She doubts that" is generally preferred because "doubt" is often used as a stative verb, describing a state of mind rather than an action in progress. However, "she is doubting that" might be acceptable in certain contexts to emphasize the ongoing nature of the doubt.

What's the difference between "she doubts that" and "she denies that"?

"She doubts that" implies uncertainty or a lack of belief, while "she denies that" means she explicitly rejects the statement as untrue. "Denies" is a stronger term expressing direct opposition.